My words didn’t have any impact. His response was clipped as if he didn’t care where he was. “Regardless, I must secure the entire perimeter.”
Sighing loudly, I led him through the interior of my apartment and pointed out the front door, my bedroom window, the sliding glass doors that led to my balcony, and the living room windows. My rescuer never said a word but growled low when we approached the balcony doors. Shoving my body behind him without haste, he reached for the handle and stepped into the enclosed space filled with several plants, strands of clear, white twinkling lights, and my wrought iron table and chairs with plush cushions. I thought it was welcoming and serene. Apparently, he did not.
“Turn off these ridiculous illuminations,” he snarled.
Hands landing straight on my hips, I didn’t hesitate to let him have it. “Look, I appreciate –”
That was as far as I got before he spun, and his hand clamped down over my mouth. “Shhh, we aren’t alone.”
He backed slowly inside, and I managed to flip the switch that shut off the lights as we moved. An involuntary tremble echoed throughout my body as I realized the danger wasn’t over. He slid the door closed slowly and quietly before flipping the lock into place. Holding onto my arm tightly the entire time, he moved from room to room and encased us in total darkness.
“When I say run, do it without question. We will exit through the main doorway if it’s accessible. Don’t look back and don’t slow down. I’ll be right behind you.”
The order was shocking and frightening, and I clung to his arm as we backed slowly toward the front door of my apartment. All thoughts of my sister and dinner fled in an instant. “What’s your name?”
He made some kind of sound low in his throat like disbelief or annoyance. “An awkward time for such a request.”
“Maybe but I’d feel better if I knew what to call you besides rescuer or hero.”
He stiffened momentarily before replying, “I’m no hero.”
Really? “I think you are,” I contradicted.
“You’re supposed to be quiet,” he grumbled. “The Seekers won’t be fooled for long.”
I blinked as I tried to comprehend his meaning. Who were Seekers? Or what?
“Motok.”
“Huh?”
“My name,” he clarified in a hushed whisper.
“Motok, it’s . . .interestingto meet you.”
A mild snort followed my words as if he was amused. “May I ask the use of your name, female?”
Female? Frowning, I decided what he meant didn’t matter at the moment. “Kerralynn but my family and friends call me Kerra or Kerr.”
He nodded as his gaze remained focused on the balcony doors. From our position near the front door we could see them clearly even in the darkness. The moon’s soft pale glow blanketed the area enough I wasn’t totally blinded. In fact, the whole apartment was eerily calm and serene but filled with a pregnant pause – like the seconds before a snake struck at their intended prey. The danger was present, but nothing was happening.
The result was an awkward silence that engulfed my apartment and made me feel uneasy.
Motok finally spoke a few minutes later. “Kerra, I am at your service as long as you see fit to accept my protection.”
He rolled the r’s in my name almost sensually and it was the first time I noticed his slight accent. Not odd or regional, it was more unique than anything else. Motok gave off an otherworldly vibe that was both intriguing and disconcerting. I wasn’t sure what to think of him but decided if he was offering protection I’d accept as long as I was in danger. I’d be a fool to turn him down.
“I accept.”
“A wise choice,breh’ha.”
The word he pronounced was difficult to understand and I gave up trying. He enunciated the letterhbut followed it up with a clicking sound on the roof of his mouth. The action was foreign to my ears and I turned away as I felt the weight of his stare for the second time since entering my apartment.
“I think you are safe for now. I don’t hear anymore . . .”
His words garbled as he continued to speak but I couldn’t understand a single thought he was trying to convey. The language was difficult to process and wasn’t only words that didn’t make sense. He made sounds and clicks that were so inhuman that I took a step back from him, startled and confused.
Motok let out a frustrated grunt when I shook my head, clearly not understanding. He tapped the side of his neck and growled as he stood, reaching inside his hood to grasp something small and metallic with smooth edges and nearly round in diameter. He shoved the item deep into his front pocket. Holding out a hand, he gripped my own tightly and tugged as I followed. My confused and addled brain was having a hard time keeping up with the chain of events as fatigue settled in and the adrenaline wore off.
